Cooperative Restraining Order Clinic (CROC)

What is CROC?

The Cooperative Restraining Order Clinic (CROC) is a collaborative city-wide project which helps domestic violence survivors in San Francisco get restraining orders against their abusers. The services are free and confidential. It is the main way in which women in San Francisco obtain restraining orders.

What is a Domestic Violence Restraining Order?

This is a restraining order made by the Family Court. It is made to stop physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking. The court can make this order against your abuser if your abuser is your spouse or ex-spouse, your boy/girlfriend or ex-boy/girlfriend, the other parent of your child, or a family member (parent, grandparent, sibling, child, or grandchild). The Court will also make custody and visitation orders regarding any children you share with the abuser and can make child and spousal support orders. The Court can order the abuser to move out of your home and can sometimes make orders about items of property you own together or items of yours the abuser has in his/her possession.

How Does it Work?

At CROC, clients meet one-on-one with an interviewer who then prepares the paperwork necessary to file for a restraining order. Interpreters are available at the clinics for clients who do not speak English or Spanish. Child care is also available. Clinic appointments are scheduled on Saturdays or on Thursday evenings.

After the initial interview, CROC files the client's restraining order request at the Family Court and obtains a Temporary Restraining Order that lasts until a hearing on a Wednesday morning. The Temporary Restraining Order must be personally served on the abuser, and CROC can assist with this service. CROC attorneys accompany clients to their restraining order hearings and arrange for interpreters if necessary. At the hearing, the Court can make a Restraining Order that lasts for up to five (5) years.

You can call 415-255-0165 to schedule an appointment for an upcoming CROC Clinic.

How Can I Volunteer?

As you may already know, our training is a two-stage process. The first step consists of an all-day training, followed by on-the-job training during which new volunteers "shadow" staff and experienced volunteers in client interviews over the course of several clinics. Our clinics take place once a week on alternating Saturdays and Thursday evenings. We ask that volunteers commit to come to at least two clinics a month for at least a six-month period.